Greens MPs in Bega for carbon price public meeting, visit to logging flashpoint Tanja State Forest

Greens NSW Senator and Forests spokesperson Lee Rhiannon and Greens NSW MP and Forestry spokesperson David Shoebridge are in Bega today to hold a public meeting on the carbon price package and what it means for the NSW Far South Coast. They will also join local environmental campaigners to visit Tanja State Forest, due to be logged in coming weeks.

“The NSW Far South Coast stands to benefit from the carbon price package, through a share of the $10 billion investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, new green jobs under the $1 billion small business and community grants and compensation for low and middle income families that will see many better off through tax cuts and government benefits.

“The carbon price package has been a big win for NSW South East forests, ending the farce that the burning of native forest timber could be classed as a renewable energy source. Wood-fired power has no future in low carbon economy.

“This is a welcome blow to Eden’s proposed biomass power station but it is disappointing that both the Federal Minister for Forestry Senator Ludwig and the Federal MP for Eden-Monaro Dr Kelly have not ruled out future Federal funding to prop up the project.

“It is madness that native forests, such as Tanja State Forests, are still under threat from logging. Native forests are an important carbon sink worth far more for environmental values than their sale value as high volume low value products such as woodchips”, said Senator Rhiannon.

Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge said: “Forests NSW has its sights firmly set on Tanja State Forest, despite strong community demand for the protection of this precious place and its wildlife.

“The Tanja State Forest is due to be logged in coming weeks. Many locals are worried this will result in an increased bushfire hazard on their doorstep, in the form of a more dense, dry regrowth forest..

“State forests throughout NSW are being logged at an unsustainable rate. Our forests are not there to be chopped down and exported for profit. They are a publicly owned resource that should be protected for future generations.

“I look forward to joining locals for a site visit to Tanja State Forest and the public meeting about the carbon price package” Mr Shoebridge said.